Tristan Retzlaff is on a mission to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention. He’s currently raising money for “A Jarhead’s Journey,” during which he plans on hiking all 2,193 miles of the Appalachian Trail with his service dog Zoey, stretching from Georgia all the way up to Maine. As a USMC veteran in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Retzlaff wants to gain subscribers for his YouTube channel “A Jarhead's Journey,” so he can donate his earnings to Healing4Hereos. His trip wouldn’t just help supply service dogs to veterans in need; he also plans on talking openly about why so many veterans choose to take their own lives and what we can do as a community to prevent these tragic deaths. 

The container company Smelly Proof has just agreed to donate dozens of smell-proof storage bags to Retzlaff and his dog. He asked for Smelly Proof Bags specifically on his wish list, so he can properly preserve his food on his trip. These bags come in all shapes and sizes, including XS through XXL, so Retzlaff can use them to store just about anything he might need along his journey, including large containers of food, dog food, medicine, clothes, and other survival gear. 

Smelly Proof Bags keep potent smells sealed in. Paired with bear bags, canisters, vaults, or hanging, the risk of negatively affecting wildlife is minimized. While on the trail, Retzlaff can use these bags again and again, helping him make the most of his storage supplies. As soon as he opens a new container of food, he can wrap the leftovers in Smelly Proof Bags for more peace of mind. 

These bags will also help Retzlaff stay organized on the trail. He can use them to keep track of supplies like fishing bait and tackle, batteries, pet supplies, maps, flares, his smartphone, and other camping essentials without worrying about leaks and exposing his gear to water. He can also store wet and dirty clothes in these bags, so they don’t stink up his backpack or draw too much attention in the wild. He can also use them to keep water away from his clean clothes, so he always has a dry pair ready to go.

Smelly Proof is proud to support Retzlaff’s cause and Healing4Heroes. However, Retzlaff and Zoey currently only have 2.5 months’ worth of supplies to get through their 8-month trip. They plan on embarking on their journey during the second week of February. You can connect with him on Facebook or Instagram to learn more about his mission. Donate to his campaign or subscribe to his YouTube channel to give back to a veteran in need. Stay tuned as we follow along with Retzlaff and Zoey every step of the way.